Andrew Garfield And Emma Stone Interview

Andrew Garfield And Emma Stone On Taking On Spiderman

Quick Bio

Actor Andrew Garfield is having a good year. He’s playing the iconic Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man (which has already made $23.4 million at the box office), he was nominated for a Tony for his role in Death of a Salesman, and he’s the luckiest guy in the world -- costar Emma Stone is his real-life girlfriend. Not bad for a semi-nerdy guy-turned-superhero.

We interviewed both Garfield and Stone, who plays Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker's science-loving first love.

How do you feel about getting this amazing role?

Andrew Garfield: It’s like I won the lottery. It just feels like one big fun extended playtime! It really was a constant process of discovery. We all have that one fictional character that we care about so, so much if ever that opportunity came along for any of us to play it, serve and do it justice. So when that moment did come along, I couldn’t think about anything else! Spiderman has given me so much in my life, I wanted to give all of myself to this character.

What was the hardest challenge in making the film?

Andrew Garfield: This is the Spiderman people love and admire, and we worked really hard to be loyal to this character. We wanted to tell as exciting a story as we possibly could. I really wanted to do it justice, which meant all the themes and the characteristics of Peter and the struggles he goes through were honored and powerful. And I wanted to inject it all with lightness and humor as well. That, to me, was the hardest part, making sure the fans would be happy with the film.

When you wore the Spiderman suit, did you feel like Spiderman?

Andrew Garfield: You know, when you first put it on, you’re like, "OK, here we are! I better savor this moment!" It is a real thing when you see yourself embodying something that has meant so much to you. But the interesting thing about it is that it doesn’t belong to you. You very, very quickly realize it’s not you; you are just doing your job. The suit is really what people love, and whatever body is in that suit, it doesn’t really matter. That’s what I find so wonderful about this character is that he is everyone’s and he is everyone. There are many qualities in him that are very relatable.

Ever have moments growing up that felt Peter Parker-ish?

Andrew Garfield: I always felt like an underdog growing up. I was a skinny kid; now I’m not. Now, obviously, I am a huge bruiser of a tank! So I got over that problem! Just kidding -- now I just realize that being skinny is OK. I always thought I should have been bigger for some reason, because society tells you that, I guess. Everyone played rugby, and I was good at it, but I got knocked down all the time because I was a weakling! So that was something I identified with Peter -- he felt stronger on the inside than on the outside. There is nothing better than seeing a skinny guy beat the crap out of big guys!

How was it to work with Charlie Sheen’s dad, Martin?

Andrew Garfield: I really do love him, like [the love] a nephew would have for an uncle. A good uncle! He’s a special man. And, of course, as an actor, he’s been someone that I’ve admired in the most profound way.

And the very sexy Emma?

Andrew Garfield: I think she is an incredible actress. She can do anything she wants, if she sets her mind and heart to it. She is just one of those rare people!